Sealing System For Pressure Vessels

ABSTRACT

A pressure vessel that includes a housing having separable portions is provided. A seal is provided in a groove formed between the separable portions. A retaining mechanism is provided for retaining the seal in the groove, wherein the seal is prevented from obstructing a passageway formed between the separable portions when the separable portions have not been properly compressed against each other.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to pressure vessels, and moreparticularly, to a sealing arrangement utilized in a pressure vessel,such as a filter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

One type of conventional pressure vessels, such as swimming poolfilters, include two separable units in order to allow for repeatedaccess to the interior of the pressure vessel for cleaning orreplacement, etc. A clamp is utilized to secure the separable units toeach other. These pressure vessels are generally equipped with a sealbetween the separable units in order to prevent leakage when thepressure vessel is properly assembled. The seal is typically designed tomaintain its integrity up to the structural limits of the clamp. In thismanner, when the clamp is not properly assembled, the seal will maintainits integrity and prevent leakage, while the clamp will be stressedbeyond its structural mechanical limits. This could create an unsafecondition if the clamp is not properly assembled or if the pressurevessel is overpressurized, the pressure vessel could separateforcefully, without any visual indication.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a pressure vessel that hasa visual indication when the clamp is not properly secured or if thepressure vessel is overpressurized.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a pressure vessel that includes ahousing having separable portions, which are moveable from a firstposition to a second position. In the first position, the separableportions are substantially retained against each other. In the secondposition, a passageway is formed between the separable portions. Thepassageway is sized to allow fluid to pass therethrough. A seal isprovided in a groove formed between the separable portions. A retainingmechanism is provided for retaining the seal in the groove, wherein theseal is prevented from obstructing the passageway.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference ismade to the following Detailed Description of the Invention, consideredin conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a filter according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view, taken along section line 2-2 andlooking in the direction of the arrows, of a portion of the filter shownin FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view similar to the view shown in FIG. 2,showing the filter in a deformed condition when the clamp is notproperly secured to the filter or when the filter becomesover-pressurized;

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the gasket and the metal ring utilizedin the filter shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view, taken along section line 4B-4B andlooking in the direction of the arrows, of the gasket and metal ringshown in FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the clamp utilized with the filter shown in FIG.1;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a main segment utilized in the clampshown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another main segment utilized in theclamp shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a connecting segment utilized in theclamp shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a bolt utilized in the clamp shown inFIG. 5;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a hinge pin that can be utilized in theclamp shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another hinge pin that can be utilizedin the clamp shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an insert utilized in the clamp shownin FIG. 5;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a nut utilized in the clamp shown inFIG. 5; and

FIGS. 14A-E are cross-sectional views showing alternative embodiments ofthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is described in connection with a filter adaptedfor removing particulate matter from a fluid stream. It should beunderstood, however, that the present invention can be used with otherpressure vessels that employ a gasket, an o-ring, or other sealingmaterials.

FIG. 1 illustrates a filter 10 having an upper housing portion 12 and alower housing portion 14 removably and sealably attached to the upperhousing portion 12. The upper and lower housing portions 12, 14facilitate assembly and maintenance of the filter 10.

A clamp 16 is used to secure the upper portion 12 of the filter 10 tothe lower portion 14 of the filter 10. While the present invention willbe described in connection with the clamp 16, it should be understoodthat the present invention can be used with other types of clamps, or insome other conventional manner for retaining and compressing the upperand lower portions 12, 14 to each other.

The filter 10 includes an inlet 18 for receiving fluid to be filteredand an outlet 20 for discharging filtered fluid from the filter 10. Anair relief valve 22 is provided for removing the air from the filter 10.

Referring to FIG. 2, the upper portion 12 of the filter 10 includes aflange 24 having a tapered surface 26, while the lower portion 14 of thefilter 10 includes a flange 28 having a tapered surface 30. The flange24 includes a substantially cylindrical outer wall 32 with an end 34,and the flange 28 includes a substantially cylindrical outer wall 36with an end 38. The flanges 24, 28 are retained and compressed againsteach other via the clamp 16 such that the end 34 of the flange 24 isadjacent to the end 38 of the flange 28.

With reference to FIGS. 2-4B, a seal material, such as an annular gasket40, is seated in an opening, such as the groove 42, between the flange24 of the upper portion 12 of the filter 10 and the flange 28 of thelower portion 14 of the filter 10 so as to form a substantiallyfluid-tight seal between the upper portion 12 and the lower 5 portion14, when the upper portion 12 and the lower portion 14 are properlycompressed toward each other. The gasket 40 can be made from anysuitable elastomeric material, such as rubber, or rubber compound.

A retaining means, such as a seal support ring 44, is attached to thegasket 40 along the perimeter of the gasket 40. More particularly, thesupport ring 44 is substantially embedded in the gasket 40. A portion 46of the support ring 44 extends from the outer periphery of the gasket40. The support ring 44 is sized to limit the outward expansion of thegasket 40 for reasons to be discussed hereinafter. The support ring 44can be formed from a rigid metal and/or alloy, such as AISI 304stainless steel.

With reference to FIG. 5, the clamp 16 includes a set of main segments48, 50 and a connecting segment 52. The main segments 48, 50 and theconnecting segment 52 are secured to each other to form a cylindricalband clamp. Each of the three segments 48, 50, 52 has a C-shapecross-section. The main segment 48 is identical to the main segment 50.The clamp 16 can be fabricated from cast aluminum, cast stainless steelor other suitable material.

Referring to FIG. 6, the main segment 48 includes a curved section 54with a bolt pad 56 extending radially outwardly from one end 58 and apair of outer tongues 60 extending from an opposite end 62. The bolt pad56 includes an opening 64 therethrough for receiving a fastener, such asa tangential bolt 66 (see FIG. 9). The bolt pad 56 is positionedrelative to the curved section 54 such that the opening 64 extends in ahorizontal direction. Each of the outer tongues 60 includes an aperture68 for receiving a fastener, such as a hinge pin 70 a (see FIG. 10). Theapertures 68 are aligned in a vertical direction and are positionedperpendicular to the opening 64 of the bolt pad 56.

Likewise, as shown in FIG. 7, the main segment 50 includes a curvedsection 72 with a bolt pad 74 extending radially outwardly from one end76 and a pair of outer tongues 78 extending from an opposite end 80. Thebolt pad 74 includes an opening 82 therethrough for receiving afastener, such as the tangential bolt 66 (see FIG. 9). The bolt pad 74is positioned relative to the curved section 72 such that the opening 82extends in a horizontal direction. Each of the outer tongues 78 includesan aperture 84 for receiving a fastener, such as the hinge pin 70 a (seeFIG. 10). The apertures 84 are aligned in a vertical direction and arepositioned perpendicular to the opening 82 of the bolt pad 74. The useof a pair of outer tongues 60, 78, rather than a single tongue, on thefirst and second main segments 48, 50 serves to increase the strengthand durability of the clamp 16.

With reference to FIG. 8, the connecting section 52 includes a curvedsection 86 with an inner tongue 88 extending from one end 90 and aninner tongue 92 extending from an opposite end 94. Each of the innertongues 88, 92 includes an aperture 96, 98, respectively, for receivinga fastener, such as the hinge pin 70 b (see FIG. 11). The inner tongue88 is sized to be received within the outer tongues 60 of the mainsegment 48, and the inner tongue 92 is sized to be received within theouter tongues 78 of the other main segment 50, as will be described infurther detail hereinafter.

To assembly the clamp 16, the main segments 48, 50 are positionedrelative to each other such that the bolt pads 56, 74 are adjacent toeach other, as illustrated in FIG. 5. The connecting segment 52 ispositioned between the two main segments 48, 50. In this manner, theinner tongue 88 of the connecting segment 52 is situated between theouter tongues 60 of the main segment 48, and inner tongue 92 of theconnecting segment 52 is situated between the outer tongues 78 of theother main segment 50.

Fastening devices are used to secure adjacent segments. Moreparticularly, the tangential bolt 66 is extended through an insert 100 a(FIGS. 5 and 12) and through the openings 64, 82 (FIG. 6) in the boltpads 56, 74 so as to secure the main segments 48, 50 to each other. Inthis position, the bolt 66 is tangent to the clamp 16. Another insert100 b (FIG. 5) is placed on a shaft 102 (FIG. 9) of the inserted bolt 66and an associated self-centering nut 104 (FIG. 13) is fastened to thebolt 66, thereby tightening the bolt 66 onto the clamp 16. The bolt 66and the nut 104 are preferably made of dissimilar materials to preventgalling. The inserts 100 a, 100 b are designed to provide a wearsurface. The bolt 66 and the nut 104 each have a spherical surface toaid in alignment and prevent bolt bending, and are designed to beinstalled with wrenches.

The hinge pin 70 b (FIG. 11) is used to attach the connecting segment 52to the main segment 48, and another hinge pin 70 b is used to attach theconnecting segment 52 to the main segment 50. The hinge pin 70 b isinserted through the outer tongues 60 of the main segment 48 and theinner tongue 88 of the connecting segment 52, and the hinge pin 70 b isinserted through the outer tongues 78 of the main segment 50 and theinner tongue 92 of the connecting segment 52 such that the pins 70 b areperpendicular relative to the clamp 16. The hinge pin 70 b has a hollowend 106 b to allow for swedging. Alternatively, the hinge pin 70 a (FIG.10) could be used in connection with a snap ring. The hinge pin 70 a hasa groove 106 a to receive a snap ring.

In operation, the clamp 16 is secured to the upper portion 12 of thefilter 10 and the lower portion 14 of the filter 10. Fluid to befiltered is delivered into the filter 10 through the inlet 18 (see FIG.1). When the clamp 16 is properly secured to the filter 10 as shown inFIG. 2, the flange 24 of the upper portion 12 of the filter 10 and theflange 28 of the lower portion 14 of the filter 10 are retained andcompressed against each other. In this position, the gasket 40 will forma substantially fluid-tight seal between the upper portion 12 and thelower portion 14 of the filter 10. Thus, the filter 10 will operatewithout any leakage of fluid.

When the clamp 16 is not properly secured to the filter 10 (such as whenthe clamp 16 is manually secured to the filter 10) or when the filter 10becomes over-pressurized, the flange 24 of the upper portion 12 of thefilter 10 and the flange 28 of the lower portion 14 of the filter 10will not be properly retained and compressed against each other, asshown in FIG. 3. In such circumstances, the upper portion 12 of thefilter 10 and the lower portion 14 of the filter 10 could separate suchthat a gap G or passageway is form between the end 34 of the flange 24of the upper portion 12 of the filter 10 and the end 38 of the flange 28of the lower portion 14 of the filter 10. A gap G1 or passageway couldalso form between the gasket 40 and the flange 24.

Conventionally, a gasket would move and expand into the gap formedbetween the flanges, thereby preventing any fluid from leaking. This maycause the buildup of the pressure in the filter, which may cause theupper portion and the lower portion to become unstable and volatile.

Because the support ring 44 serves to limit the outward expansion of thegasket 40, the gasket 40 is prevented from expanding into the gap Gformed between the flange 24 of the upper portion 12 and the flange 28of the lower portion 14 of the filter 10, thereby permitting fluid toflow around the gasket 40 and through the gap G formed between theflanges 24, 28 (as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 3), and leak out ofthe filter 10. Thus, the filter 10 will operate while leaking, therebypreventing the buildup of pressure by providing a slow and safe releaseof pressure without the clamp 16 disengaging. Such leaking also providesa visual indication that the clamp 16 is not properly secured.Accordingly, the support ring 44 prevents the development of an unsafecondition.

It should be noted that the present invention can have numerousmodifications and variations. For instance, the present invention can beused with other retaining means that serve to limit the outwardexpansion of the gasket 40. FIG. 14A shows a retainer 144 that isconnected to certain portions of the gasket 1407 while FIG. 14Billustrates a retainer 244 that is connected to the gasket 240. FIG. 14Cillustrates a retainer 344 connected to the gasket 340, while FIG. 14Dshows a retainer 444 connected to two sections of the gasket 440. FIG.14E shows a retainer 544 connected to the gasket 540.

It will be understood that the embodiments described herein are merelyexemplary and that a person skilled in the art may make many variationsand modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention. All such variations and modifications are intended to beincluded within the scope of the invention as defined in the appendedclaims.

1. A pressure vessel comprising: a housing having separable portions, said separable portions moveable from a first position, in which said separable portions are substantially retained against each other, to a second position, in which a passageway is formed between said separable portions, said passageway sized to allow fluid to pass therethrough; a groove formed between said separable portions; a seal provided in said groove; and a retaining means for retaining said seal in said groove, wherein said seal is prevented from obstructing said passageway.
 2. The pressure vessel of claim 1, wherein said retaining means is a support ring attached to said seal, said support ring sized to limit the outward expansion of said seal.
 3. The pressure vessel of claim 2, wherein said support ring is substantially embedded in said seal.
 4. The pressure vessel of claim 3, wherein said support ring is formed from a rigid metal.
 5. The pressure vessel of claim 2, wherein said seal is an annular gasket seated between said separable portions of said housing.
 6. The pressure vessel of claim 5, wherein said annular gasket is sized to form a substantially fluid tight seal between said separable portions of said housing when said separable portions are in their said first position.
 7. The pressure vessel of claim 6, wherein said annular gasket is sized to allow fluid to flow through said separable portions of said housing when said separable portions are in their said second position.
 8. The pressure vessel of claim 7, wherein said annular gasket is made of an elastomeric material.
 9. The pressure vessel of claim 7, further comprising a clamp sized to secure said separable portions of said housing to each other.
 10. The pressure vessel of claim 9, wherein said clamp includes a first main segment, a second main segment, and a connecting segment attached to said first main section and said second main segment.
 11. The pressure vessel of claim 10, wherein said first main segment includes a bolt pad positioned on one end of said first main segment and a pair of outer tongues extending from an opposite end of said first main segment, and wherein said second main segment includes a bolt pad positioned on one end of said second main segment and a pair of outer tongues extending from an opposite end of said second main segment.
 12. The pressure vessel of claim 11, wherein said connecting segment includes an inner tongue extending from one end of said connecting segment and an inner tongue extending from an opposite end of said connecting segment.
 13. The pressure vessel of claim 10, wherein said annular gasket is sized to allow fluid to flow through said separable portions of said housing before said clamp disengages from said separable sections.
 14. A pressure vessel comprising: a housing having separable portions, said separable portions moveable from a first position, in which said separable portions are substantially retained against each other, to a second position, in which said separable portions are separated from each other; a seal provided between said separable portions, said seal sized to prevent fluid from leaking out from said separable portions when said separable portions are in their said first position; and a retaining means for retaining said seal between said separable portions so as to allow fluid to pass around said seal when said separable portions are in their said second position.
 15. The pressure vessel of claim 14, further comprising a clamp sized to secure said separable portions of said housing to each other.
 16. The pressure vessel of claim 15, wherein a passageway is formed between said separable portions when said separable portions are in their said second position, said passageway sized to allow fluid to pass therethrough.
 17. The pressure vessel of claim 16, wherein said retaining means is a support ring attached to said seal, said support ring sized to limit the outward expansion of said seal.
 18. The pressure vessel of claim 17, wherein said seal is an annular gasket seated between said separable portions of said housing.
 19. The pressure vessel of claim 18, wherein said annular gasket is sized to form a substantially fluid tight seal between said separable portions of said housing when said separable portions are in their said first position.
 20. The pressure vessel of claim 19, wherein said annular gasket is sized to allow fluid to flow through said separable portions of said housing when said separable portions are in their said second position.
 21. A pressure vessel comprising: a housing having separable portions; a gasket provided between said separable portions, said gasket forming a substantially fluid tight seal between said separable portions of said housing when said separable portions are retained against each other; and a retaining means for retaining said gasket between said separable portions so as to allow fluid to pass around said gasket when said separable portions are separated from each other.
 22. The pressure vessel of claim 21, further comprising a clamp sized to secure said separable portions of said housing to each other.
 23. The pressure vessel of claim 22, wherein said retaining means is a support ring attached to said gasket, said support ring sized to limit the outward expansion of said gasket. 